Satsangs

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.~James Swartz

ShiningWorld Reader

Mary: Dear
James, I’m writing mainly to tell you how profoundly grateful I
am (sounds so weak and insufficient) for your gift of awareness and
the great ways in which you pass it on. I have true respect and love
for your presence in the world.

I’ve
been listening to your teachings since October and have cleared much
gunk from the think tank. I do not yet experience myself as the
limitless, actionless, eternal awareness. I have several seeming
obstacles to moksa,
as I see it.

James:
Appreciation is much appreciated, although I don’t do what I
(apparently) do for the appreciation. Yes, Vedanta does what it
purports to do – removes the gunk from the think tank –
consequently cleaning the emotion and actions downline. If I may guru
you a bit, it is not correct to say that you do not experience
yourself as awareness yet. There is no experience of awareness
waiting to happen because everything that is is awareness, including
the apparent Mary-experiencer. Awareness is the one that knows that
thought “I do not yet experience myself” – the non-experience
of awareness is only a thought in – guess what! – you,
awareness. But I think I know what you are trying to say: that Mary,
the apparent you, does not feel completely free. I don’t feel free
of this toothache that has been bothering me for a couple of months
after a root canal and another dental surgery. But I know that I am
free. The one that feels will always feel pleasant and unpleasant
sensations. Freedom is knowing that whatever you feel/experience is
you, but you, as awareness, are free of the feeling. I think you
already know this but I think it is important to observe the way one
formulates important statements relating to the I and experience
insofar as the essence of enlightenment is the clear distinction
between knowledge and experience.

Mary:
First is my young one, the great joy and light of my life, but
ever-present and all-consuming. I don’t expose him directly to your
teachings but he hears you on my MP3 player when he gets in my car
and will often ask to keep listening. He calls you The Good Talker.
He especially loves to hear you chant. But I am wary of trying to
direct him too much toward the teachings. Better that he find them on
his own, ya?

James:
Yes and no. It is good to try to find words that he can understand
and gently continue to communicate on the topic lifelong but not to
expect comprehension just yet. He will have to go through what he has
to go through before it all makes sense. The best teaching is the
peace and happiness that you feel now that you have a legitimate
means of self-knowledge. And you should try to slowly introduce him
to the idea of desire and the results of action – i.e. karma
yoga. Although they are almost completely
identified with desire they slowly become aware that there is not an
inviolable relationship between what they want and what happens. They
should be taught that it is the same for everyone, always, including
so-called enlightened people.

Mary:
I also work and have a father with Alzheimer’s whom I help oversee
the care of. I know that you’ve said FORGET IT and it won’t
happen if we are not able to devote our full attention to the
knowledge and the practice of karma
yoga. But there’s no choice for me except
to keep listening, reading your book and exposing my mind to Vedanta.

It is
The Last Stop.

James:
No, this is not exactly what the teaching says. It says to see your
father and the Alzheimer’s as the self and serve him according to
your nature. In this way your service to him purifies you. What we
have to do in life does not stand in the way of who we are. See
yourself free as you serve, leaving the result to Isvara.
Whatever your attention – read: love – is going to, is you. We
say forget the belief that freedom is something that is going to
happen and serve the self in the form of the duties that Isvara
thrusts on you every day.

Mary:
I thought I hit it about 18 years ago. I was 25 when I found the
Gangaji lineage, went to satsang
with her in Maui, went to Tiruvannamalai and sat in Ramana’s cave,
meditated in Papaji’s bedroom, thought I was pretty cool.

But
Gangaji’s brand of enlightenment always irked me. Just say what it
is for Christ’s sake! I never felt like she was being straight; “If
you don’t get it, dear one, it’s simply because there’s nothing
to get.” Um, okay… thanks? There’s nothing to do with Nothing
to Do. So I dropped out.

James:
Gangaji and the Neos don’t have a clue how to teach because they
were never taught. Papaji was obviously unenlightened – although he
had the power to induce epiphanies – which he incorrectly labeled
as enlightenment. This is why their teachings are so vague. They have
the right words (and a healthy dose of denial with reference to the
world) but they don’t know what those words mean. They are not bad
people – most are quite nice – and you can get a certain idea of
what you seek, but mostly the modern teachings are useful precisely
because they are not useful, forcing you to soldier on until you are
ready for a proper teaching. One never “hits it” because you are
the one that (apparently) hits. How do you hit the hitter?

Mary:
Fast-forward to last fall: my friend Jessica, whom you’ve heard
from (an artist that sent you a card during the time of your surgery
which you told her you kept in your pocket), gave me a Zip drive with
your teachings (I made a donation to your website for this gift).

James:
Yes, she is a lovely soul.

Mary:
Finally, I’m also writing just to be on your radar and would like
to be counted as one of your sheep. I am working steadily at karma
yoga and will continue to listen to the
teachings. As far as moksa
goes, it is up to Isvara,
but I sincerely hope it will be in this lifetime.

James:
Okay, sheep it is. Your bleating is music to my ears.

Mary:
I also hope to see you in person. I had written Sundari to see if you
might come to New York to do some satsangs.
Please let me know if you may be on the East Coast at all this year.
I know you’re not planning to be as of now.

James:
We had to cut down the East Coast appearances owing to concerns about
my health but I think we will probably reinstate them, if not this
year then next year.

Mary:
Thank you, James, for all of the time and effort you put into your
teachings. I hope to repay you by attaining full self-knowledge one
day. In gratefulness and love.

James:
You can repay me every day but taking the
karma
yoga attitude toward everything and
rededicating yourself to your self with every thought word and deed.
You are a great soul, Mary. I wish you all the best. May our paths
cross one day soon.

~
Love, James

Contacting Shining World

For years I have happily and diligently responded to communications on the topic of Self realization. Since the publication of my book, “How to Attain Enlightenment”— currently in its third printing —and the success of this website, the volume of emails has increased considerably. Unfortunately, owing to a busy schedule of teaching and writing, I am no longer able to answer all the emails I receive in a timely fashion. However, my wife, who is also a teacher, and several well-qualified teachers we have endorsed are available to answer emails on my behalf. I encourage you to send them your questions.
— James SwartzContact Us